May 2 – Casamigos Tequila Cocktail Class
Learn to mix like a master with an interactive cocktail class at Volcano Rabbit. Casamigos master mixologist, Kristin Clark, will lead a guided tasting experience and will teach attendees how to craft three delicious cocktails. Tickets are priced at $25 plus fees and include cocktail education, three cocktails, a Casamigos mezcal tasting and surprise Casamigos swag. Tickets are available here.
May 5 – Seedling Soirée
Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, a garden and nutrition education center whose mission is to empower students and families to be healthy and active citizens through gardening, environmental stewardship and nutrition education, will host the 2018 Seedling Soirée on Saturday, May 5 at the Center’s historic 6.85-acre property in National City.
Held in the gardens, the special culinary feast features local chefs, vintners, and brewers with a unique menu showcasing the best of San Diego County’s organic and sustainably produced produce, fish, meats, and confections. Guests are encouraged to explore the gardens and learn about Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center’s programs, enjoy live music and fine cuisine, as well as a silent auction with food, wine, and other gifts. Television cook and cookbook author, Sam the Cooking Guy will emcee the event. Featured chefs include Joe Magnanelli of CUCINA urbana, Marguerite Grifka & the Olivewood Kitchenistas, Christina Ng of Chinitas Pies, Joe Pastry of Waters Fine Food & Catering and WooBar, Kevin Templeton of barleymash, The Smoking Gun, and Spill the Beans, Isabel Cruz of Isabel’s Cantina and 2015 MasterChef winner Claudia Sandoval.
To learn more about Olivewood Gardens or the 2018 Seedling Soirée, please call 619-434-4281 or visit olivewoodgardens.org/seedling-
May 5 – Junior League of San Diego’s Food and Wine Festival
May 6 – Fifth & Rose | Sunday Delight Guest Bartender Series
Fifth & Rose, The Pendry’s signature cocktail bar, will host the last of their Sunday Delight Guest Bartender Series on Sunday, May 6. Guests and locals can join for craft mixology with one of San Diego’s top bartenders, Stephen Kurpinsky of Georges at the Cove who will be taking over the bar from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. for a New Orleans themed afternoon with speciality cocktails, creole bites and New Orleans Brass Bands.
May 9 – Barnett Vineyards Wine Dinner
On May 9,Sally’s Fish House & Bar will host a Barnett Vineyards Wine Dinner as part of its wine-paired multiple-course dinner series, “In Good Taste.” Starting at 7 p.m., guests will enjoy a refined menu perfectly paired with Barnett Vineyards award-winning wines during a five-course dinner. Join Barnett Vineyard’s National Sales Manager, William Dale, as he leads an introductory lesson to pairing premium wines with fresh, sustainable dishes. Menu highlights include scallop crudo, herb garlic prawns, fig & prosciutto stuffed quail, sous vide prime beef short rib and white chocolate raspberry merlot bombe.
**Pricing: $124 per person + tax and gratuity; Link to purchase tickets here
An elevated feast for the senses—that’s the objective of “Darkroom – A Dinner Series” debuting at Uptown Tavern on May 9. The new monthly event intensifies the dining experience with a blind five-course chef’s tasting menu in complete darkness. The idea: By removing one of the senses from the equation—in this case sight—diners will indulge in a more enhanced sensory dining adventure. Limited to 20 seats, reservations are required for this special tasting menu designed to stimulate, delight and surprise. The price for the five-course dinner is $49.95 per person. Includes a welcome aperitif cocktail.
Reservations can be made online at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/d
May 10-13 – Gator By The Bay
San Diego’s annual Gator By The Bay, the largest, most-authentic Louisiana-themed music and food festival this side of the bayou, will be held May 10 – 13, 2018, at Spanish Landing Park on beautiful San Diego Bay right across from San Diego International Airport. Presented by the Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego, this celebration features four days of live music with more than 100 musical acts and special performances on seven stages as well as a delicious array of southern cuisine, including 10,000 pounds of fresh crawfish trucked all the way from Opelousas, Louisiana! Since its inception in 2001, the festival has grown to showcase a diverse selection of music genres including blues, salsa, Zydeco, Cajun and country. Find all festival, ticket, lodging, parking and free shuttle info at www.gatorbythebay.com.
May 11 – ‘Everyday California IPA’ Beer Release Party
Join Everyday California and Resident Brewing to celebrate the release of the ‘Everyday California IPA’ on May 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. Brewed in collaboration, this much-anticipated beer embodies the “California cool” lifestyle, bringing together tropical flavors resembling San Diego with hints of pine from NorthernCalifornia. Taking place at OB Surf Lodge in Ocean Beach, the free event is open to the public and will feature food and drink specials, including $5 biscuit sandwiches and $5 EDCA IPA pints. Guests can also participate in a beach cleanup prior to the event from 4 to 5 p.m. to keep our local beaches beautiful.
May 11 – Dog Adoption Event at The Duck Dive
On Friday, May 11thfrom 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Pacific Beach’s The Duck Dive will be hosting a dog adoption event that promises to be a tail-waggin’ good time! In partnership with The Animal Pad, a non-profit San Diego Dog Rescue Organization, dogs available for adoption will be hanging out at the Duck Dive waiting to find their fuuur-ever homes. Along with adorable, adoptable pooches, the event will host additional fun! Pet care and grooming vendors will hand out information for pet parents. Stop by the event to talk one-on-one with vendors and learn more about their services.
There will also be awesome raffle prizes from local pet vendors and The Duck Dive! A special menu will feature some of Duck Dive’s favorite bites and sips. Enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail such as the Take Me to Mexico with watermelon-infused Los Altos Plata Tequila, basil, and jalapeno, shaken with agave, lemon and fresh watermelon.
May 12 – Festival of Arts in North Park
San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) Festival of Arts in North Park is a free festival that celebrates the artistic craftsmanship of the community, from unconventional street art to live musical talent. The festival will be held on May 12 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering a whole day of entertaining experiences that are free and highlight the local talents of North Park.
This year, the artistry goes beyond traditional mediums. Meticulously designed dishes, cocktails and craft brew recipes will also be highlighted in the festival’s new Craft Beer Block. For the first year ever, entry is free for this ages 21 and up experience. Attendees are invited to enjoy full 12 ounce pours of their favorite beer for purchase or enjoy a little bit of everything and buy a wrist band to sample and sip from North Park’s top chefs, distillers and brewers. All of this is in one place, plus free entertainment and the ever-popular Drag Queen Karaoke. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.explorenorthpark.com/festival-of-arts.
May 12 – AVANT at Rancho Bernardo Inn | Ballast Point Beer Dinner
On Saturday, May 12, AVANT is pleased to partner with local Ballast Point Brewing to offer guests and locals a 4-course beer dinner, featuring a delicious seasonal menu with expert pairings. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and is $75 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 858-675-8551. The menu includes:
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First Course: Hamachi, California olive oil, cured roe, tom kha, pickled green strawberries, chef’s garden flowers — paired with Ballast Point’s Aloha Sculpin (Hazy India Pale Ale)
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Second Course: Cold smoked salmon, watercress, meyer lemon kosho crème fraiche, cucumbers — paired with Ballast Point’s Piper Down (Scottish Ale)
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Third Course: Spring lamb, black garlic romesco, charred garlic scapes and alliums, herbs, fermented potato bread – paired with Ballast Point’s Indra Kunindra (Curry Export Stout)
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Fourth Course: Beet red velvet cake, candied beet chips, cream cheese frosting, raspberries, milk sorbet – paired with Ballast Point’s Red Velvet (Nitro Stout)
May 16 – Woodstock’s Pizza + Miramar Firefighters
Woodstock’s Pizza in San Diego is serving up pizza with a conscience this Wednesday, May 16th. From 4:00 to 9:00 P.M., Woodstock’s Pizza will host the Miramar Firefighters and their 2018 Demolition Derby Car! Up to 15% of all sales will be donated to the Burn Institute benefitting Camp Beyond the Scars for children all over San Diego.
Grab your crew and order up craft brews, appetizers, fresh salads, and Woodstock’s famous pizza, made with fresh, hand-tossed dough with a unique folded-over crust with sauce inside, knowing that your donation will make a difference for burn victims and fire prevention programs in San Diego. Donate just $1 more and leave your mark on the demolition derby car that will go on to compete at the Del Mar Fair!
May 16 – Don Julio Tequila Tasting at Casa Guadalajara
One of Old Town San Diego’s signature Mexican restaurants, Casa Guadalajara, will host an exclusive Don Julio Tequila tasting and food pairing event on Wednesday, May 16 from 6-10 p.m., led by Don Julio Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa.
Guests will experience the peak of Don Julio’s decades-long distillation traditions with tastings of its Blanco, Reposado and Añejo tequilas, as well as a limited edition “Don Julio 70th” tequila crafted by de Colsa to mark the 70th anniversary of the brand. Each tequila will be served both neat and as a crafted cocktail, and paired with small bites created by Casa Guadalajara’s Chef Jose Duran that complement the different tequilas’ flavor profiles.
Throughout the evening, de Colsa will share wisdom accumulated through years of experience and a unique love of the craft. As Don Julio’s master distiller, de Colsa is responsible for tasting and evaluating the subtleties of each tequila, managing the barrel-aging process to ensure depth of flavor, and maintaining the integrity of every blend throughout distillation.
The event will close with a toast of the special “1942” tequila, the final creation of Don Julio González’s lifelong career, crafted in collaboration with de Colsa to commemorate the brand’s 60th anniversary.
Tickets for the event cost $80. Limited availability of 40 tickets ensures an exclusive and intimate experience for each guest. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact rolsen@casaguadalajara.com or banquets@casaguadalajara.com, or call 619-295-5231.
May 17 – Eat. Drink. Read. A Culinary Event for Literacy
The San Diego Council on Literacy’s (SDCOL) ninth annual “Eat. Drink. Read. A Culinary Event for Literacy” will elevate taste buds with savory and sweet bites from more than 20 of the city’s finest chefs at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park on Thursday, May 17, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Celebrated chefs from restaurants all over the county will take guests on a culinary journey with imaginative dishes inspired by the chefs’ favorite books and literary characters. San Diego brewers, distillers and winemakers will also bring their libations to the event, which will feature live music and a chef battle – with awards presented by celebrity judges for “Best Dish,” “Best Dessert,” “Best Display” and “People’s Choice.”
SDCOL’s flagship event and a San Diego foodie mainstay, “Eat. Drink. Read.” raises needed funds to support the nonprofit’s 27 affiliated literacy programs that annually serve more than 179,000 residents of all ages at no cost. More than 520,000 adults in San Diego have difficulty reading – and most of them are native English speakers. Many of these adults are parents, and their children are adversely affected by their parents’ low-level literacy skills.
Tickets are $65 per person with early bird pricing until April 13, and $75 per person beginning April 14. There are also $125 VIP tickets available that include early entry (5:30 p.m.), a special VIP sitting area, and special food and beverage tastes! To purchase tickets or for more information, visit http://www.literacysandiego.org/eatdrinkread/.
May 19 – San Diego Taco Fest
The San Diego Taco Fest is a food, music, and cultural celebration of all that makes San Diego America’s Finest City. The festival will take place on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Waterfront Park which boasts stunning views of the bay. This is San Diego’s Largest Taco Festival – featuring more than 30 of San Diego’s best taco restaurants, a fun lineup of local and national concert acts, live Lucha Libre wrestling matches, a Chihuahua beauty pageant and races, and interactive experiences. New to this
year’s action-packed day will be a Margarita Bar serving hand-crafted margaritas while a DJ provides entertainment under the Marg Tent. San Diego Taco Fest is open to anyone ages 21 and up.
Purchase tickets at: https://tickets.sdtacofest.com/e/2018-san-diego-taco-fest/tickets
May 19 – Cans & Jams
Searsucker San Diego’s May Cans & Jams event will be held on Saturday, May 19th from 2pm-5pm featuring Ballast Point along with plenty of discounted cans, swag giveaways, and delectable bites from Searsucker’s happy hour eats menu like fan favorite duck fat fries or spicy tuna poke. You can leave feeling extra good that $1 from every can sold will go towards the San Diego Surfers – cheers! No ticket purchase required – RSVP via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/222976968475319/
May 21 – Meet the Makers Dinner
For one night only, two seven eight in Hillcrest presents an engaging Meet the Makers Dinner with Liberty Call Distilling on Monday, May 21. Taking place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the one-year-old Hillcrest restaurant at 3687 Fifth Avenue, this prix fixe experience will provide an intimate evening of communal dining alongside insight into what it is to be a craft liquor distiller in San Diego.
Liberty Call Distilling Kitchen’s Chef Miguel Valdez and two seven eight’s Chef Logan Kendall and Chef-Owner Jessica Fisher, who styled the restaurant around dinner parties held in her former Brooklyn apartment, will create six contemporary courses—each paired with a cocktail from Liberty Call Distilling’s lead bartender Albert Allison using spirits such as Blue Ridge 4-Grain Whiskey, Old Ironsides Single Malt, Gin and Spiced Rum. Liberty Call’s Head Fermentologist Addison Poth will guest host, providing an educational and eye-opening glimpse into the growing distilling industry.
Tickets to two seven eight’s Meet the Makers Dinner featuring Liberty Call Distilling are priced at $110 and must be purchased in advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-makers-two-seven-eight-x-liberty-call-distilling-tickets-45844944463. All ages are welcome to attend; guests must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol.
May 22 – Roule The Village
Fancy a nice ride along the coast? How about an ice-cold beer at the finish line? Local beer mecca Barrel Republic in Carlsbad is teaming up with hometown brewery Rouleur Brewing Company on Tuesday, May 22nd, for the “Roule The Village” mini tap takeover! Hosting Rouleur Brewing Company, Barrel Republic is facilitating an evening of relaxing bike rides and great brews to match.
Starting at 4:00 P.M., take a lovely group cycle down the coast of Carlsbad, where some of the tasty brews from Rouleur Brewing will be waiting for you at the finish line! Come for the cycle and stay for the beer or skip straight to the brews at the end – the diverse and exciting brews from Carlsbad’s own Rouleur Brewing will be there to greet you either way. Whether you’re a cycling nut, a craft beer enthusiast, or simply wild about spicing up your Tuesday night, join Barrel Republic and this trendsetting local brewery for a fun-filled evening chalk-full of great beer and cool cycling stories!
May 24 – Balboa Park Conservancy Dinner
The iconic Balboa Park turns 150 this year and to mark the occasion, its revered The Prado restaurant will host a grandiose dining experience amidst the park’s renowned Botanical Garden on Thursday, May 24, to benefit the Balboa Park Conservancy.
Using locally sourced ingredients and nature’s inspiration, Executive Chef Jonathan Hale has planned a 4-course menu with wine pairings from Gloria Ferrer to reflect the very essence of San Diego’s agriculture to be enjoyed with the surroundings of one of its most historical landmarks. Contributing to the park’s serene ambiance will be live music from a harpist and violinist, and an abundance of fresh florals. Tickets are priced at $80 per person or $150 per couple, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Balboa Park Conservancy.
To purchase tickets, please visit here or call 619.557.9441.
May 26 – Ales & Acoustics
Herringbone La Jolla’s monthly Ales & Acoustics event will be back this month on Saturday, May 26 from 12pm-4pm, featuring Mason Ale Works with the best craft beer taps to go around that pair perfectly with the ocean-to-table concept’s Oyster Hour menu. Wash down your brew of choice on tap with fresh shucked oysters ($1),arancini risotto balls ($6) and more! Enjoy live music by musical artists Mike Officer & Carissa Schreoder – what better way to celebrate your Saturday afternoon?
May 30 – Chateau Montelena Wine Dinner
On Wednesday, May 30, Chef James Waters and his culinary team at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara will prepare a stunning five-course meal to pair with Chateau Montelena’s award-winning wines. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception on the terrace followed by dinner at 6 p.m. in Seasons’ Private Dining Room. Menu highlights include, Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio, stone fruit, avocado, watercress, paired with Riesling 2016 and Grilled Lamb Chops, braised cherries, tarragon peas, Islay scotch, paired with 2015 Zinfandel. The wine dinner is $150 per person and seating is limited to 30 guests. Reservations can be made by calling 760-814-8677.
May 30 – Butcher & Brewmaster
Upscale barbeque with an international flair is fueling a flame in Westfield UTC. This month, Smokeyard BBQ & Chop Shop kicks off a monthly Butcher & Brewmaster dinner series with former Top Chef contestant Giselle Wellman (San Diego Jewish Academy, Pacific Standard, Petrossian). She and Smokeyard’s Exec Chef Matt Sramek will join forces with one of San Diego’s most sought-after breweries, Societe Brewing Co. for a five-course tasting dinner. This chef/brewer led evening will be filled with inventive slow smoked creations, seafood selections and paired brews, including Societe’s 2018 World Beer Cup gold-medal winner, The Thief.
May 30 – Backroom Beer Pairing
Barons Market will team up with Temecula’s Aftershock Brewing to pair tasty beers with delectable dishes at each of its seven Southern California grocery stores for its summer-themed Backroom Beer Pairing. The family-owned market will donate 100 percent of proceeds from its four San Diego locations to Second Chance Dog Rescue and from its three Temecula Valley locations to Animal Friends of the Valleys. To join the summertime fun, head to one of Barons Market’s seven Southern California locations from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 30. Tickets will sell out, so purchase yours for $15 today.
May 31 – James McGarvey | Live Acoustic Music Night
Equal parts folk, rock, and soul, acoustic artist James McGarvey has pursued a lifelong exploration of music. With his music influenced by artists such as Duncan Sheik, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, and John Mayer, this local San Diego singer and song writer’s heavy guitar and passionate vocals reflects nearly two decades of performance experience and exemplary talent. A staple of the local music scene, James McGarvey will be lighting up your Thursday night on May 31st with a live acoustic show at Barrel Republic in Oceanside! Stay tuned for an exciting lineup of local musicians every Thursday at this North County beer mecca.
